DPM Bečić lays wreath at site of Duško Jovanović’s murder

Deputy Prime Minister for Security, Defence, Fight Against Crime and Internal Policy and Coordinator of the Security and Intelligence Sector Aleksa Bečić today laid a wreath at the site where journalist Duško Jovanović was tragically murdered. He was joined by Minister of the Interior Danilo Šaranović and Director of the Police Directorate Lazar Šćepanović. The gesture was made in honour of Jovanović’s life, courage, and unwavering fight for a just Montenegro — a cause to which, as Bečić stated, "he was deeply committed, ultimately sacrificing his life."

Bečić sent a clear message that Montenegro and its institutions will not rest until justice is served, emphasizing the strong political will at the highest level and the end of an era of impunity in the country. There are no longer untouchables, no longer those above the law. Anyone who broke the law, participated in murders, or was involved in criminal acts, no longer sleeps peacefully, he declared.

Highlighting the professionalism and full commitment of the Police Directorate in tackling organized crime and shedding light on this case, Bečić praised the efforts of Director Šćepanović and the active role of the current state prosecutor handling the investigation. He expressed confidence that the truth will come to light and justice will be delivered.

In that context, I want to share an exclusive piece of information with you today. Following final legal alignments and a positive opinion from the Ministry of Finance, and based on the recommendations of the Commission for the Investigation of Murders and Attacks on Journalists, in accordance with Article 92 of the Law on Internal Affairs, and upon formal proposal by the Director of the Police Directorate — the Minister of the Interior has just adopted a decision, on behalf of the Ministry and the Government of Montenegro, to offer a financial reward of one million euros for any individual or individuals who provide credible information relevant to solving the murder of Duško Jovanović, Bečić added.

According to the decision, for information to qualify, three cumulative conditions must be met: the information must be accurate and lead to the identification or arrest of direct perpetrators, accomplices, organizers, and those who ordered the murder; it must contribute directly to the initiation and conduct of criminal proceedings; it must play a decisive role in securing a conviction.

Individuals willing to provide such information may contact the Director of the Police Directorate or the Assistant Director in charge of the Criminal Police Sector. Those who come forward are entitled to protection under laws governing the security of persons and witness protection.

This reflects our unwavering determination and, more importantly, demonstrates to the public — through daily results and operations — that we are committed to freeing our security sector from illicit influence and dismantling organized crime and corruption. This is the foundation of our system’s liberation, Bečić stated, expressing confidence that this liberation is what will bring about true freedom for Montenegro and its institutions.

You are aware that the hours and days following crimes like this are often the most critical for solving the case. Yet, even after 21 years, this government and the heads of key institutions have not given up on seeking justice. We must reach justice — all of us together. Justice is our obligation. The truth Duško Jovanović stood for is eternal, Bečić concluded.

Minister of the Interior Danilo Šaranović affirmed that full justice will only be achieved when all those involved in the crime — perpetrators, co-perpetrators, organizers, and those who ordered the murder — are brought to justice.

At a time when the state was anything but a state, he was one of the few men of unlimited courage, who transformed words into bullets — not for himself, but for all of us, and for the generations to come, said Šaranović, paying tribute to Jovanović’s personal and professional sacrifice.

He emphasized the duty of institutions and society as a whole to uphold responsibility toward his memory and his family.

His sacrifice is our lasting obligation. We must never accept partial justice. There is no rule of law, no true democracy, and no complete justice until Duško Jovanović’s murder — and others like it — are fully solved. We must build a state of absolute justice to replace the darkness that hovered over Montenegro two decades ago, Šaranović said.

Acting Director of the Police Directorate Lazar Šćepanović emphasized that Jovanović’s murder cannot be viewed outside the broader context of organized crime.

Just before midnight, at this very place, Duško Jovanović — editor-in-chief of the daily Dan — was brutally and brazenly murdered. This crime, as I’ve stated previously, bears all the hallmarks of organized crime. He exposed society’s deepest flaws and reported on criminal activity — and these truths were what led to his assassination, he added.

Šćepanović underlined the sensitivity and complexity of the ongoing criminal investigation, carried out in coordination with the High State Prosecutor’s Office and the acting prosecutor, and noted that the police have been actively working on the case for more than a year.

I won’t be one of those seeking political points. I will be one of those who, together with my team, will give everything to solve this heinous murder. I hope that today marks a step toward justice for Montenegro. We will prevail, and we will prove who committed this crime, he concluded.